When selling your house, one of the first documents you will be asked to sign by your real estate broker is a listing agreement.

There are several types of listing agreements, but each authorizes a real estate broker to act on your behalf to sell your house.

In Southern California, almost all real estate escrows are handled by independent escrow companies; in Northern California, most escrows are handled by the escrow departments of title companies. In selecting an escrow agent, the following criteria should be considered: (a) the reputation of the escrow company in the community; (b) the financial strength and stability of the escrow company; (c) the knowledge, experience and competence of the escrow officers; and (d) the location and accessibility of the escrow office. While escrow fees do vary, there usually is not a substantial difference in the fees that various escrow companies charge. Therefore, cost is usually not a factor in the selection of an escrow agent, except in large transactions where escrow fees are more likely to be subject to negotiation. In some cases, a financial institution may require that the escrow be handled by their escrow department. And, if the financing arrangements are particularly complex, the use of the lender’s escrow department may facilitate the funding of the loan.

Title insurance protects the purchaser and the lender involved in a real property transaction against claims by third parties against the title. The title insurance company also assumes the obligation to defend any actions challenging title to the property. A title insurance policy insures only the person named in the policy and those who succeed to the interest of the named insured by operation of law. As opposed to most insurance policies, a title insurance policy insures against conditions that already exist, rather than against events which may occur in the future. Title insurance is not a guarantee that the insured will always be entitled to retain possession of the premises; it protects the insured only against loss or damage incurred because of a defect in or lien upon the property.

We negotiate and review commercial and residential leases, analyze title reports, advise purchases and sales, as well as work on property tax matters.